When the road forks, how do you know which path is the right one? Raven Black hunts evildoers for fun, but her vigilante justice isn't the only reason she's hiding from the law. Half vampire, half mage, she's spent years living as a rogue to stay alive. When a Russian shifter offers her a job in his covert organization hunting outlaws, dignity and a respectable career are finally within her grasp. The catch? Her new partner is Christian Poe - a smug, handsome vampire whom she'd rather stake than go on a stakeout with. They're hot on the trail of a human killer who will stop at nothing to get what he wants. One misstep during her probationary period could jeopardize Raven's chance at redemption, and her partner would love nothing more than to see her fail. Dark secrets, unexpected twists, and a blurred line between good and evil will keep you on the edge of your seat. Will Raven find the courage to succeed, or will she give in to her dark nature?

I love the team of Dannika Dark and narrator Nicole Poole. I’ve listened to Dark’s Seven series and own all of her Mageri series (which I will binge listen to by the end of the year). The Crossbreed series is part of the same world but you don’t have to have read/listened to the other series. I think reader who are familiar with one of all of the previous series will feel completely at home because you’ve been introduced to all the breeds in this series. New comers will still feel at home but without the back history of the world building involving the supernatural races Dark has made. Have no fear, Dark brings you up to speed on them without an information dump.

Raven Black the heroine of this series is special in the breed world because she is a crossbreed. She is a human who has been turned into a half Mage and half Vampire. The breed world looks down on crossbreeds so Raven keeps her mix of Mage and Vampire secret as much as she can. Especially the Vampire side since most breeds do not like or trust vamps. Not even Raven, she hates her vamp side.

In Crossbreed, Raven goes from a loner rouge to finding a new family with the Keystone group. They are a group of different breeds, from Mage, Chitahs, Shifters, Vampires and more. The group is hired to investigate crimes in the breed world, most of the time working behind the scenes. They all have partners. If Raven is selected for the group her partner will be Christian Poe, vampire. There is a sexual tension between them and distrust since Raven doesn’t like vamps.

Crossbreed is a great start to this urban fantasy series that deals with a new case each installment and it also has a slow burn romance building between the heroine and one of her team mates.

I received this book for free from Publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

Two weeks after joining Keystone, Raven Black is ready to take on the world as a criminal hunter for hire. If only her partner wasn't a bloodsucking Vampire with a penchant for getting under her skin. Despite her lavish surroundings, Raven misses the freedom of life without rules. And Keystone's next assignment is about to test her self-control in more ways than one. Dead bodies are popping up in the human district, and all signs point to a Breed serial killer. In order to catch him, Raven and Christian embark on a mission that takes their partnership into uncharted waters. Lives are at stake. Can Raven trust her instincts, or will she fall into a web spun from lies and deceit?

Ravenheartpicks up where Crossbreed ended. Raven is apart of Keystone and learning more about her Mage and Vampire sides. Raven is just full of surprises and her team mates are learning she is more than meets the eye.

That slow burn romance is still building between Raven and Christian. I love the banter they have and some of the key elements of something that happened in the first book are starting to peak through. (Can’t say more without spoilers)

Another fun adventure with this mixed group of heroes. There was some mystery left open ended about some side characters that I believe may have been a crossover from the Mageri series (I’m binging that one SOON!).

Dark and Poole never fail to bring the awesome. Dark writes great characters and Poole is a master at bring them to life with her narration.

Look for my review for Deadtrap, the 3rd book in the Crossbreed series soon!

About Nicole Poole

Nicole Poole is a classically trained actor with equal passions for literature and improvisation. She has toured with the Royal Shakespeare Company, has been a member of the critically acclaimed Walter Thompson Orchestra for over fifteen years, and recently became a member of the Parisian groups SPOUMJ and Anitya. She is honored to have been recognized for her narration by an AudioFile Earphones Award, a Publisher’s Weekly Listen-Up Award, and nomination for an Audie Award.

About Dannika Dark

Dannika traveled abroad in her formative years, learning that life was bigger than her own backyard. With an active imagination, she developed a love for poetry and classic literature. At age 12, influential modern writers such as Stephen King and Anne Rice sparked her interest in writing short stories about magic and the apocalypse, but it wasn’t until decades later that Dannika left her 9-5 corporate job to pursue a career in publishing.

In addition to writing about supernatural worlds, Dannika is passionate about graphic design and creates all her own covers and series art. When not writing, she enjoys indie music, reading, Netflix, strawberry daiquiris, heaps of chocolate, and unleashing her dark side.

All of her published books to date are written in the same universe and contain material suitable for adults only. Dannika’s books have sold more than 1.5 million copies worldwide.